MANKATO, Minn. -- Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Sunday that rookie Scott Crichton could end up in the rotation on the defensive line. That was news to Crichton.

But it was good news.

"He thinks I'm going to be in the rotation?" Crichton said with a level of excitement. "That makes me feel good.''

The third-round pick missed about a month of spring drills because he was completing classes on the quarter system at Oregon State. But he hasn't wasted any time impressing Zimmer during the first three days of training camp.

"He has done really, really well," Zimmer said. "He is a very try-hard guy, which I like that. He hasn't made a lot of mistakes. ... He has a chance to get into the rotation."

While Crichton is listed as a defensive end, Zimmer said he could play multiple positions on the line.

"I'm doing as much as I can to contribute to the team and get to the Super Bowl," Crichton said. "We all have got that mindset to get to that Super Bowl."